Tides
Jan 19, 2016
Tides
What is a Tide?
• A tide is the rise and fall of the sea level
The gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun make the tides.
• The Sun is so much larger than the Moon but has about ½ of the power compared to the Moon on tides…WHY?
• The Moon is closer to Earth
The Types of Tides:
1. Spring Tides• The Sun, Moon and Earth are in a straight line.
1. Spring Tides• Come once every two weeks.
• During a full and new moon phase
Spring Tides• Highest High Tides and Lowest Low Tides
• Why?
• Gravitational Force – the force that pushes towards the center of rotation
• Centrifugal Force - the force that pushes a body away from the center of rotation.
2. Neap Tides • When the Sun, Moon, and Earth are at right
angles.
2. Neap Tides• Happens about twice a month
• Happens at the 1st and 3rd quarter Moon Phase
2. Neap Tides• Tidal Range is the smallest.
• Lowest High Tides and Highest Low Tides
• Why?
Now For a Brain Pop on Tides
Tidal Cycles
• There are 3 different tidal cycles; this is how many high tides and how many low tides there are per 24 hour period
Tidal Cycles – 3 types
1. Diurnal Tidal Cycle• One high tide and one low tide per 24 hours
• Uncommon – areas near Gulf of Mexico
2. Semidiurnal Tidal Cycle
• Two identical high tides and two identical low tides in one tidal cycle
east coast of USA
3. Mixed Semidiurnal Tidal Cycle
• 2 High and 2 Low tides – all of different heights. West coast of USA